Background: This study describes the sociodemographic, clinical, and functional characteristics of a representative sample of service users in Italy. The supports provided by formal agencies, natural networks, and actual levels of quality of life (QOL) were assessed. Methods: The participants were 1,285 individuals with intellectual and…

This article presents the framework of a dynamic approach to quality of life (QOL) enhancement based on the conceptualization and measurement of individual-referenced quality of life. Sections of the article summarize the premises of QOL enhancement, provide the rationale for a dynamic approach to QOL enhancement, discuss six components of QOL…

As the concept of quality of life (QOL) has evolved from a theoretical concept to both a measurable construct and an action-oriented change agent in the field of intellectual disabilities, there has emerged a corresponding need to develop, implement, and use a systematic approach to the assessment of domain-referenced quality of life outcomes. The…

Education and human service organizations providing services to people with intellectual and closely related developmental disabilities are increasingly being impacted by the supports paradigm, the quality of life concept, and the evaluation of personal outcomes. In this article the authors discuss the relationship among these three areas,…

The authors provide an overview of quality of life (QoL) conceptualization in the field of intellectual disabilities (ID), provide background information, and set an organizing framework for presenting concepts and concrete ideas for applying QoL. This framework is useful for three broad categories of application in the field of ID that form the…

There is considerable debate in the area of individual quality of life research regarding the factor structure and hierarchical nature of the quality of life construct. Our purpose in this study was to test via structural equation modeling an a priori quality of life model consisting of eight first-order factors and one second-order factor. Data…

Education and rehabilitation programs in the field of intellectual disabilities are developing specific strategies related to demonstrated personal outcomes, quality of life (QOL)-related services and supports, evidence-based practices, and quality improvement. The purpose of this article is to summarize key aspects of these strategies within a…

The concept of quality of life (QOL) is increasingly being used in the field of intellectual disabilities as a conceptual and measurement framework for program planning and evaluation. This article describes the development of a QOL conceptual and measurement framework, and summarizes how this framework is currently being used both nationally and…

Background: Taiwanese family carers of people with intellectual disabilities not only suffer from long-term stress but also need to cope with social difficulties. The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) among family carers of people with intellectual disabilities. Materials and methods: A census interview survey was…

This article summarizes the current understanding of the "quality of life" construct as applied to people with mental retardation. It examines previous definitions and suggests a definition involving eight life dimensions including emotional well-being, interpersonal relationships, material well-being, social inclusion, and rights. The definition…

The concept of quality of life is increasingly being used internationally in the field of intellectual disabilities. We surveyed three respondent groups representing five geographical groupings on the importance and use of the 24 core quality of life indicators most commonly reported in the international quality of life literature. Results suggest…

This article focuses on self-determination and quality of life in special education services and supports. It discusses essential characteristics of self-determined behavior, core quality-of-life dimensions, quality-of-life assessment and instruction, assessment, how quality of life and self-determination are related, and curricular issues in self…

A quality-of-life index proposed as an outcome and criterion measure for goodness-of-fit between persons and their environments was tested on data from 685 Nebraska community-based mental retardation programs. Administrative and programmatic uses of the information are discussed. (Author/MSE)

This article discusses aspects of the concept of quality of life that impact on policy development and habilitation services for persons with intellectual disability. The article contends that quality of life should not be viewed as an individual score for a person but in the larger context of a guiding principle that underlies the development,…

The concept of quality of life (QOL) has become an important public policy and service delivery issue within the mental retardation/developmental disabilities field. QOL measurement focuses on a number of personal and environmental factors, including independence, productivity, living/residential environment, interpersonal and community…